Humidifier for internal-combustion engines



l Feb. 19, 1929. 1,702,858

G. A. BARTHCLOMEW HUMIDIFIER Fon INTERNAL coMBUsTIoN ENGINES 9 Filed Dec. 2, 1927 A TTQRNE Y.

Patented F eb. 19, 1929i.

Unirse STATES PA'rjlala'rv oF-Ficn.

GILBERT A. BARTHI[O]!t|IEl7f,0 OF CLEVELANDfOHIO.

HUMIDIFIERFOR INTERNAL-'COMBUSTION ENGINES.

Application filed' December 2, 1927l Serial No. 237,130.

The invent-ion Vrelates tov humidifiers for attachment toi-the intake passage ofi acomk bustion engine, by vmeans of which steam may be addedto the charge, to cool the same, toprevent-detonation, andE to assist in eliminating; carbon formation, and to produce a smoother running engine.

The invention includes the provision ot'- a hollow cylindrical bodyv orchamber having its walls constructed. of bronze or.l other metal which will expand whenl heated..

Thisv chamber is attached to the exhaust manifold of the enginev andihas a portion inserted therein, thereby acquiring progressivelyV the rising degrees .ofy temperature of the exhaust asV the engine gains in speed when in use.

This chamber communicates on one side with the radiator top or otherv source of steam and upon the other side with the intake manifold of the engine between vrthe carburetor and cylinders, in such a manner,

that when all parts are open, super-heated steam from the radiator will be dra-wn into the intake manifold of the engine.

When the engine is cold as when starting it would not be desirable to introduce steam into the explosive mixture, and as the engine speeds up the steamv superheated by its passage through a chamber in which it is spread over a specially provided heating surface is progressively supplied'at the intake manifold in the proportions most essential to increase thev power of the fuel and speed of the engine..

This result is accomplished by means of a relatively stationary ring positioned within the cylindrical chamber and formed of material which has a lower ratio of expansibility than that of the cylinder and which normally closes the suction or outlet port in the wall of' the aforesaid chamber leading to the intake manifold but which is gradually separated therefrom by the expansion. of the wall of the aforesaid outer chamber due to the increased temperature thereof to permit superheated steam to pass into the intake manifold in gradually increasing quantities as the engineand exhaust temperature rises.

The .invention is hereinafter further described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and specifically pointed out in the claims.

Fig. l is a plan of the device.

Fig. 2, isa horizontal section.

l Figs. 3, and 4 are vertical sections.

5, is a bottom plan. Fig. 6, aside elevation of an internal combustion engine showing the power augmenting device attached thereto. f f f Here l is a cylindrical chamber formed'of. two portions and` constructed of a khighly expansible .metal suchas bronze.v or brass and communicating at 2 .with the radiator of a water cooiedt explosion. engine orV other source of` steam, and at-B with the intake manifold Irof the engine... Atl'is showna hollow extension which enters the exhaust manifold M of. theengine', and communicates the progressive temperatures thereof f thus securing it firmly in place.

This tubular extension is also perforated laterally at '8, 8, and is provided with an open upper end at 0.

A central tube 10 of smaller diameter to provide a passagevbetween these parts is inserted into the upper wall of the chamber and communicates at its upper end with steam or air intake passage 11, and extends downwardly nearly to the lower end of said hollow extension. y

AdJusting screws 12 and A12 in the 'steam or an' admission passage control the admission of steam or air tothe chamber and are y lockedby nuts 12, l2.

A 4concentric ring 13 is secured in the hollow chamber l and normally closes the outlet port 3 leading to the intake mani fold I of theengine as .shown in Figs. 3

vand 4.

This ring is constructed of a less expansible metal than the walls of the outer chamber and hence when, the outer Awall is expanded a vspace 15, will be formed bctween the walls of the chamber and ring through `which the steam superheated by spreading it over the tube in the hollow extension will readily pass.

This space becomes greater as the engine temperature rises.

' The ring is preferably secured by riveting to the Wall of the chamber 1 directly opposite to the outlet port.

And a preferably accentric groove 14 may be formed in the vertical Yface of the ring or chamber Wall to give a greater 'facility to the flow of the steam towards the outlet port 3.

By attaching the ring at one side o the chamber the Width of the space at 2O is increased, and the lovv ot steam Will be more rapid owing to the reduced amount ot friction thereupon.

I/Vhen in use, the piping I) connecting` the intake opening 2 with the radiator R, is attached upon the side most convenient to the radiator, and the other opening is closed by a plug Q, having an air admission opening S therein, through which more or less air can be drawn When desired, a strainer cloth C prevents sediment from reaching the chamber, the plug holds. the strainer in place, a pipe E connects the outlet With the intake l.

Having described the invention, what I claim. as new and desire to secure by Iietters Patent is,

In a thermally operated huiniditying device 1for an internal combustion engine attachable to the exhaust mani'old ot said engines, a main hollow chamber having its Walls formed Afrom highly expansibie metal having an. outlet port in one side, an annular metal valve in said chamber and normally closing' said port until said chamber Wall is expanded, said main chamber being` provided with a vertically projecting tubular chamber passing therethrough and closed at both ends, and having lateral outlet ports in its sides communicating with said main chamber, a central tube passing into said tubular chamber, anda transverse passage for steam and air above said main hollow chamber and communicating With said central tube, and separate valves for controlling the passage of steam and air into said transverse passage.

In testimony vvhereoil I aiiix my signature.

GILBERT A. BARTHOLOMEW. 

